§ 38. Mr. Frederick Mulleyasked the Minister of Works which controls he proposes to remove in order to secure an expansion of building materials and equipment.
§ The Minister of Works (Mr. David Eccles)I presume the hon. Member refers to my request to brick manufacturers for information regarding controls on the building industry in general. These controls are operated by a number of Departments. So far as my Ministry is concerned, price-controls and licensing are the main controls. I am considering whether price-control can be removed. Licensing is being reviewed to see whether it can be simplified.
§ Mr. MulleyWill the Minister let us know more clearly whether in his view the ordinary physical controls over buildings have any direct relation to the building materials industry? Will he not really apply himself to the job of trying to expand building materials, which at the present as in the past have held up building which we all want, instead of relying on these rather vague and doctrinaire phrases when he addresses himself to the subject in public?
§ Mr. EcclesThe hon. Gentleman will find that the output of building materials is increasing very satisfactorily.